Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who have serious barriers to graduation and/or employment. In more than three decades of operation, JAG has delivered consistent, compelling results – helping over one million young people stay in school through graduation, pursue postsecondary education and secure quality entry-level jobs leading to career advancement opportunities.

A program boasting one of the highest graduation rates among high school students likely to drop out will continue and grow in the Clark County School District next year, due to a unanimous approval from the School Board on Thursday.

Few people ever receive a standing ovation. Culbertson High School senior Elizabeth Hendrickson received two when she was on stage at the SeriousFun Children’s Network Gala in New York City on April 2.

There were seven students invited to perform at the SeriousFun Children’s Network Gala and Elizabeth was one of them. The benefit was attended by Tony Bennett, Sara Bareilles, Robin Roberts, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Miss America and New York Amanda Mason.

Jasmnika Newbern of Benton Harbor was named Michigan Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Newbern will be honored during the club’s celebration of Boys & Girls Clubs Week April 14-18.

The JAG Board of Directors is pleased to announce that 101 scholarship applications were submitted by deserving JAG seniors from seventeen (17) states in hopes of being recognized as a 2014 Smith Scholar. The JAG Board established two committees to provide oversight of the Kenneth M. Smith Scholarship Fund and the selection of Smith Scholars. In 2014, applicants submitted the required documentation for the committee members to review and evaluate including: (1) application; (2) official high school transcript; (3) three letters of recommendation; and (4) two-page essay.

Gentry High School event winners at the Mississippi Career Development Conference included: 1st place Financial Planning; 2nd place Public Speaking; 2nd place Creative Thinking; 1st place Entrepreneurship; National Football Referee Writing—2nd place $1,000 , 3rd place-$750, and two Honorable Mentions @ $250 each; and 1st place Theme. Congratulations, JMG Career Association at Gentry High School.

The Iowa JAG (iJAG) program takes on many projects each year. They fundraise, they volunteer and they have service learning projects that teach the JAG students skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and leadership skills. One such project that the iJAG students took on was inspired by Caine’s Arcade an internet sensation.

Career Opportunities for JAG Graduates

ADM is a company where you can make a difference in yourself, your future and the world. ADM guarantees an interview to any JAG graduate who applies for a job. This is not a guarantee of an offer, but all JAG graduates will be granted an interview. Visit adm.com/careers today to search for job opportunities. And, to check on the status of your application, email JAG@adm.com.

The JAG National Network will make a measurable difference in the outcomes of public education and workforce development systems at the national, state and local level. We will strive to increase opportunity and reduce poverty and unemployment by fostering A Nation Without Dropouts.

JAG is committed to...

...helping resolve our country's dropout and transition problems by expanding state organizations and local programs that help young people overcome barriers to graduation from high school and become college and career ready!